The T-pylon, winner of an international design competition, will be offered on the proposed Hinkley Point C Connection. It may be the first time it is used in the UK.

The new pylon could help to address some of the concerns raised by the public about the connection’s impact on the landscape.

Residents feared that the new 400,000 volt pylons needed to carry the wires would be much higher than those on the existing 132,000 volt line currently running along the route. However, at 36 metres high, the T-pylon is nearly one third shorter than the traditional 400,000 volt lattice design.

National Grid had said previously that it hoped to offer the new pylon if it was ready in time to be used on the connection. Since the competition winner was chosen, engineers from both National Grid and the winning architects have worked hard to turn the concept into reality. They are now satisfied it will be ready.

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Engineers from National Grid are now working with landscape experts to identify sections along the connection's route where the new pylon would have the most benefit. It will then be included in the next round of public consultation in September when National Grid will be keen to hear people’s views.

Considering the T-pylon is just one of the ways National Grid is seeking to reduce the impact of the proposed Hinkley Point C Connection. For example, because of the project will allow an existing low voltage line to be removed and more than five miles of the proposed new line will go underground, overall there will be around 95 fewer pylons in the local landscape after the connection is built.

Peter Bryant, National Grid's project manager, said: "The proposed Hinkley Point C Connection will play an important role in keeping the lights on in Britain but we do understand people’s concerns about the height of the pylons. The T-pylon gives us another option as we look for ways to reduce the visual impact of this vital project on the landscape.

"The steel lattice pylon has served us well and will continue to be used where appropriate but in September we’re looking forward to hearing people’s views on the T-pylon and where along the route it would be the best choice."

(CD/MH)